Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:44 amPost subject: New to the use of puppets.....

I am the Children's Librarian at a public library and I do classroom
> visits almost daily. I have never used a puppet, but the former
> librarian always did and I need to learn how! I need some ideas....some pointers.....anything anyone thinks may help a newcomer to the world of puppets!!

I had an Intern use puppets in her reading group. She used only a pipe cleaner that I had her change into a large circle for the head. All the children had one too. As she read the "puppet" did the talking. If a child had a question or response to one of hers that child's puppet did the talking. I had explained to her that this simple puppet was like an ALTER EGO. This allows the child to "guess" at things and if there's a mistake it's the puppet's! This is not to excuse them to gradually take more responsibility for their actions, but for many too shy or uncertain to put themselves in front of the class, this technique is a BEGINNING. As they get older puppetry has other uses too, but for young children this works wonders.
Dr.Rose_________________Dr.Rose has spent his life trying new methods, theories, and techniques to improve his and others' teaching. His web site has many free materials, including plays for students.